You are here

rabble blogs are the personal pages of some of Canada's most insightful progressive activists and commentators. All opinions belong to the writer; however, writers are expected to adhere to our guidelines. We welcome new bloggers -- contact us for details.

Like Trump, Calgary MLA kicked out of NDP caucus proving there’s wisdom in sticking to professional politicians

Calgary-East MLA Robyn Luff, kicked out of the provincial NDP caucus the night before for what was inevitably interpreted as flinging a spanner into the party works in the lead-up to an important election, expressed her shock and dismay at that entirely predictable outcome in a rambling Facebook post.

In it, Luff responded to her NDP party leader Rachel Notley's decision, which is surely the one any Canadian party leader regardless of location on the political spectrum would have made, by essentially throwing everything but the kitchen sink back at the premier. She also vowed to continue her irresponsible protest boycott of the legislature.

Among Luff's accusations -- far too entertaining to be ignored by mainstream media, especially the United Conservative Party auxiliary at Postmedia -- was the entirely believable claim that Alberta NDP caucus members had been asked not to appear in photographs with federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

Are we seriously expected to be shocked at this, given Singh's recent position on issues at variance with Notley's policies? Or, the tendency of the UCP troll farm to spin such pictures into damning and memorable memes?

Luff also complained of the NDP's treatment of her private member's bill, which proposed changes that she intended to increase renters' rights. Unsurprisingly, with a full legislative agenda and an election looming, party leaders were not enthusiastic. Luff, who is an honourable person and a genuine progressive, was said to be extremely unhappy. Luff was kicked out of caucus after announcing she would refuse to sit in the legislature to protest what she described as "a culture of fear and intimidation" in the government caucus.

Of course, if we had a nickel for every MP and MLA displeased with the treatment of their private member's bill, we could probably pay down the deficit!

That said, Alberta seems to be the home of over-the-top responses to this garden-variety parliamentary complaint.

Who can forget Edmonton-St. Albert member of Parliament Brent Rathgeber resigning from prime minister Stephen Harper's caucus in 2013 after melting down when his fellow Conservatives pushed changes to his private member's bill, which would have required public disclosure of any federal public employee's salary above $188,000?

Rathgeber is now back chasing St. Albert ambulances as a lawyer, with a sideline advising Edmonton city councillors on ethical issues.

Sad to say, human nature being what it is, this tactic is seldom likely to solve an unhappy office-holder's grievances.

Realistically, the breach between Luff and the NDP is now permanent, and complete. Luff will soon return to her teaching career, as she is said to have contemplated well before this blow-up.

Luff and U.S. President Donald Trump don't have a lot in common, obviously, but there is this: each in their own way, regardless of your political ideology or economic beliefs, is proof of the wisdom of sticking with professional politicians when picking candidates for public office.

David Climenhaga, author of the Alberta Diary blog, is a journalist, author, journalism teacher, poet and trade union communicator who has worked in senior writing and editing positions with the Toronto Globe and Mail and the Calgary Herald. This post also appears on David Climenhaga's blog, AlbertaPolitics.ca.

More people are reading rabble.ca than ever and unlike many news organizations, we have never put up a paywall – at rabble we’ve always believed in making our reporting and analysis free to all, while striving to make it sustainable as well. Media isn’t free to produce. rabble’s total budget is likely less than what big corporate media spend on photocopying (we kid you not!) and we do not have any major foundation, sponsor or angel investor. Our main supporters are people and organizations -- like you. This is why we need your help. You are what keep us sustainable.

rabble.ca has staked its existence on you. We live or die on community support -- your support! We get hundreds of thousands of visitors and we believe in them. We believe in you. We believe people will put in what they can for the greater good. We call that sustainable.

So what is the easy answer for us? Depend on a community of visitors who care passionately about media that amplifies the voices of people struggling for change and justice. It really is that simple. When the people who visit rabble care enough to contribute a bit then it works for everyone.

And so we’re asking you if you could make a donation, right now, to help us carry forward on our mission. Make a donation today.